Poker Hand Rankings: Complete List From Best to Worst

When you’re learning poker, the first thing you need to know is which hands win. This guide is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants a quick refresher on poker hand rankings.

This guide shows you exactly how poker hand rankings and poker rankings work, from the most powerful hand possible (royal flush) all the way down to the lowest (high card).

Whether you’re sitting at a table or watching online poker, these rankings never change; they’re the foundation of every poker variant (Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, etc.).

Understanding which hands win is essential for making smart decisions at the poker table. 

Quick Poker Hand Ranking List

Here’s the complete ranking of poker hands from strongest to weakest:

1. Royal Flush – Ace, king, queen, jack, and ten, all of the same suit (A-K-Q-J-10); the highest possible poker hand
2. Straight Flush – Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit
3. Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank
4. Full House – Three of a kind + a pair
5. Flush – Five cards of the same suit (any ranks)
6. Straight – Five cards in sequence (any suits)
7. Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank
8. Two Pair – Two different pairs
9. One Pair – A single pair
10. High Card – No combination made

The 10 Poker Hands Explained in Detail

Royal Flush

Definition: An ace-high straight flush (A-K-Q-J-10, all the same suit).

A royal flush consists of an ace, king, queen, jack, and ten, all of the same suit, and is the highest possible hand in poker.

Example: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠

How it works: This is the rarest and best possible hand in poker. You need five specific cards all in the same suit, in perfect sequence. A royal flush is technically a specific type of straight flush, and it's so rare that players might go years without seeing one dealt.

What it beats: Everything. A royal flush beats every other hand

What beats it: Nothing. The royal flush is unbeatable.

Probability: 1 in 649,740

Straight Flush

Definition: Five consecutive cards, all of the same suit (but not ace-high). A straight flush requires all cards to be of the same suit; a straight with mixed suits (cards of different suits) is not a straight flush.

A straight flush is made with any five consecutive ranking cards of the same suit and is the second-strongest hand.

Example: 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ (called a "nine-high straight flush")

How it works: Like a straight, but all five cards must be of the same suit. Examples include 8-7-6-5-4 of hearts, or K-Q-J-10-9 of diamonds. There's no break in sequence, and every card matches the suit.

What it beats: four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, and all lower hands

What beats it: A royal flush (which is technically a straight flush, just ace-high). If two players both have straight flushes, the higher one wins (e.g., 9-high beats 5-high).

Probability: 1 in 72,193

Fun fact: A royal flush is a straight flush, not a separate category. In terms of hand strength, they're both straight flushes; the royal is just the best version.

Four of a Kind

Definition: Four cards of the same value (such as four queens) plus one other card (called a "kicker").

Four of a kind, also known as "quads", consists of four cards of the same rank and is a very strong hand.

Example: Q♣ Q♦ Q♥ Q♠ 2♣ (four cards of the same value, queens, with a 2)

How it works: You need exactly four cards that are of the same value. The fifth card (the kicker) can be anything. This hand is sometimes called "quads." In Texas Hold'em, getting four of a kind is extremely rare because you'd need at least three matching cards on the board or two in your hand plus two on the board.

What it beats: Full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card

What beats it: Straight flush and royal flush.

Kicker importance: If two players both have four of a kind (very unlikely in standard poker), the higher set of four (same value) wins. If somehow both had the same four cards (only possible in community card games), the higher kicker wins.

Probability: 1 in 4,165

Full House

Definition: Three of a kind plus a pair (5 cards total).

A full house consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, making it a strong hand that ranks above a flush and a straight.

Example: J♣ J♠ J♦ 7♣ 7♠ (three jacks and two 7s)

How it works: A full house is "trips" (three matching cards) and a pair combined. For example, three kings and two 5s, or three 2s and two aces. When describing a full house, you always say the three-of-a-kind first, then the pair.

What it beats: Flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card

What beats it: Four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush.

Comparing full houses: If two players have full houses, the one with the higher three-of-a-kind (one rank) wins. If both had the same three-of-a-kind, then the higher pair is compared to determine the winner.

Probability: 1 in 693

Flush

Definition: Five suited cards of the same suit (any ranks, but not in sequence).

A flush consists of any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence, and is ranked lower than a full house.

Example: K♥ 10♥ 8♥ 4♥ 3♥ (five hearts)

How it works: All five cards must be the same suit (all hearts, all diamonds, all clubs, or all spades), and these are called suited cards. You can have a 2-5-7-10-K all of the same suit; that's a valid flush. If the cards happen to be in sequence too, it's a straight flush, which is even stronger.

What it beats: Straight, three of a kind, two pair, one pair, high card.

What beats it: Four of a kind, full house, straight flush, royal flush.

Comparing flushes: If two players have a flush, the one with the highest-ranked cards wins. If player one has K♥ 10♥ 8♥ 4♥ 3♥ and player two has K♥ 10♥ 9♥ 4♥ 3♥, player two wins because the 9 is higher than the 8.

Probability: 1 in 508

Straight

Definition: Five cards in sequence, any suits.

A Straight consists of five consecutive cards of any suits and ranks above three of a kind and two pair.

Example: 8♠ 7♣ 6♦ 5♥ 4♦ (eight-high straight)

How it works: The cards must be consecutive in rank (8-7-6-5-4, or 10-9-8-7-6, etc.) but can be any suit. A straight doesn't care about suits; if it did, it would be a straight flush. Special note: An Ace can be high (in A-K-Q-J-10) or low (in 5-4-3-2-A), but it can't wrap around (K-A-2-3-4 is not valid).

What it beats: A straight beats three of a kind, as well as two pair, one pair, and high card.

What beats it: Flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush.

Comparing straights: The highest card in the sequence determines the winner. For example, a 9-8-7-6-5 straight beats an 8-7-6-5-4 straight. A royal flush is actually an ace-high straight (10-J-Q-K-A all the same suit).

Probability: 1 in 255

Important: You can't have A-2-3-4-5-6; straights are exactly five cards. But 5-4-3-2-A is valid (called a "wheel" or "bicycle," the lowest straight).

Three of a Kind

Definition: Three cards of the same rank, plus two other unmatched cards.

Three of a kind consists of three cards of the same rank and is ranked lower than a straight.

Example: 9♠ 9♦ 9♥ 5♣ 2♦ (three 9s with 5 and 2)

How it works: Also called "trips" or a "set" (though "set" technically refers to a pair in your hand and one on the board). You need exactly three cards of matching rank. The other two cards must not form a pair, or else you'd have a full house, which is stronger. In Texas Hold'em, this is a very strong hand.

What it beats: Two pair, one pair, high card.

What beats it: Straight, Flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush.

Comparing three of a kind: The higher set of three wins. If you have three kings and your opponent has three queens, you win. If both players have three of a kind of equal rank, the kickers are compared to determine the winner.

Probability: 1 in 47

Two Pair

Definition: Two different pairs, plus one other card.

Two pair consists of two different pairs of cards and is ranked lower than three of a kind.

Example: A♦ A♣ 4♠ 4♥ 7♦ (a pair of aces and a pair of 4s, with a 7)

How it works: You have two separate pairs: one pair of aces, one pair of 4s. The fifth card (called the "kicker") can be any card that isn't part of either pair. Two pair is a decent hand; many beginners think it's stronger than it actually is.

What it beats: one pair, high card

What beats it: Three of a kind, Straight, Flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush.

Comparing two pair: The player with the higher top pair wins. If both players have the same highest pair, the next highest pair is compared. If both pairs are the same, the kicker determines the winner.

Probability: 1 in 21

One Pair

Definition: One pair of matching cards, plus three other unmatched cards.

One pair consists of two cards of the same rank and is ranked lower than two pair.

Example: Q♣ Q♥ 8♦ 5♠ 2♣ (a pair of queens with 8, 5, and 2)

How it works: Just one pair of matching ranks. The other three cards don't match each other or form any combination. This is the most common one pair hand you'll make in poker (along with high card). Most pots in casual poker are won with either a pair or a high card.

What it beats: high card.

What beats it: Two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush.

Comparing pairs: The higher pair wins. A pair of kings beats a pair of jacks. If both players have a pair of kings, the player with the highest kicker wins. If the kickers are the same, look at the next-highest kicker, and so on.

Probability: 1 in 2.3 (about 42% of all hands dealt)

High Card

Definition: No pairs, no straights, no flushes: just the highest single card.

High card is when no other hand combinations are made, and the highest card wins.

Example: A♣ 10♦ 6♠ 4♣ 3♥ (Ace-high with 10, 6, 4, 3)

How it works: This is the lowest-ranking hand in poker hand rankings. When you have five unmatched, non-consecutive cards, you've made a high card. In this case, your hand's strength is determined entirely by the rank of your highest card. An ace-high beats a king-high, beats a queen-high, etc. High card sits at the very bottom of the rankings, with all above categories, such as pairs, straights, and flushes, being stronger.

What it beats: Nothing in terms of poker hand rankings. If your opponent also has a high card, the highest-ranked cards are compared.

What beats it: Every other hand type (a pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush). All the above hands outrank a high card.

Comparing high cards: First, compare the highest card. If both players have an ace, compare the second-highest, then the third, then the fourth, then the fifth. Example: A-K-Q-J-9 beats A-K-Q-10-10 because the jack beats the 10 in the fourth position.

Probability: About 50% of all hands (very common!)

Poker Variants

Poker isn't just one game; it's a family of games, each with its own rules and strategies. The most popular poker variants include Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-card Stud, and Five-card Draw. While the basic poker hand rankings chart stays the same, the way you build your best five-card hand can vary a lot between these games.

1. Texas Hold'em: The most widely played poker variant, especially in online poker and tournaments. Each player gets two private hole cards, and five community cards are dealt face up in the center. You make your best hand in poker using any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards.
2. Omaha: Similar to Texas Hold'em, but each player receives four hole cards. You must use exactly two of your hole cards and three of the community cards to make your best five-card hand. This creates more possible combinations and bigger hands.
3. Seven-Card Stud: No community cards here. Each player is dealt seven cards: three face down and four face up. You build your best five-card hand from your own seven cards. Seven-card stud rewards memory and observation, since you can see some of your opponents' cards.
4. Five-Card Draw: One of the simplest poker games. Each player is dealt five private cards (no community cards). After a round of betting, you can discard and draw new cards to try to improve your hand. The goal is still to make the strongest five-card hand possible.

Understanding the differences between these poker variants, and how hole cards and community cards are used, will help you adapt your strategy and recognize the best hands in any poker game you play.

Starting Hands

Your starting hand in poker, the two cards you're dealt at the beginning of a hand, can make all the difference between winning and losing. In Texas Hold'em, these two cards are called your hole cards, and knowing which starting hands to play is a key skill for every poker player.

Common Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes to succeed as a poker player.

Playing Too Many Hands

It's tempting to play every hand in poker, but most hands are weak. If you play too many, you'll often end up with low-value hands like high card or one pair, which rarely win big pots.

Not Folding Enough

Holding on to weak hands, hoping to improve, is a classic mistake. If you're facing big bets and only have a low pair or a weak kicker, it's usually better to fold and wait for a stronger hand.

Ignoring Position

Your seat at the table matters. Hands like king-jack offsuit (K♠ J♦) might be playable in late position, but risky in early position, where you have less information about other players' actions.

Understanding the poker hand rankings chart is crucial. Knowing how many poker hands are possible and the probability of each hand helps you make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

By focusing on strong starting hands, folding when you're beat, and always keeping hand rankings in mind, you'll avoid these common pitfalls and improve your results at the table.